SEATTLE (D13 Public Affairs) – Cmdr. James Andrews will relieve Cmdr. James Howatson as Commanding Officer of Port Security Unit 313 during an official ceremony July 12, at 2:00 p.m.
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored military tradition aboard ships and shore units. It represents a total transfer of responsibility and authority from one individual to another and gives formal recognition in front of the entire crew.
As Commanding Officer, Andrews will assume responsibility for 134 Reserve and Active Duty Personnel trained for deployable defense contingencies both in and outside of the continental United States.
Andrews began his military service in 1976 in the United States Army. He rose to the rank of Sergeant while stationed at the 2nd/75th Ranger Battalion in Fort Lewis, Washington. While assigned to the 2nd/75th Rangers, he received his Paratroop Wings and High-Altitude Low-Opening Wings.
In 1987, Andrews joined the United States Coast Guard Reserves as a Port Securityman 2nd Class and rose to the rank of Chief.
In 1992, Andrews received a Direct Commission through the Reserve Office Candidate Indoctrination Course and was assigned to Group Seattle as a Search & Rescue Coordinator.
In 1995, CDR Andrews became a watch officer with the Pacific Area Maritime Defense Zone. This unit was later commissioned as Harbor Defense Command Unit 113 where he served as a battle watch officer, with deployments to exercises in Korea and Bahrain.
In March of 1998, CDR Andrews was selected as a member of the Pre-commissioning detachment for Port Security Unit 313. Upon the commissioning of the unit, he served as the security division officer with collateral duties as command duty officer, tactical action officer, and participated in Operation Foul Eagle in Pusan, Korea
In May of 2003, Andrews was selected as the officer in charge of Pacific Area PSU Detachment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and served until Jan 2004.
Andrews was the Senior Reserve Officer for Group Seattle and a senior planner for Sector Seattle.
Andrews’ last assignment was as a department head at Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 9, a joint service expeditionary warfare command and control group.
In his civilian career, Andrews is the chief of police for the city of University Place, Wash. Andrews has successfully completed his Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Executive Certification, and is a graduate of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and Federal Bureau of Investigation Command College, and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Development course.
Andrews and his wife Roxie have been married for 28 years and have four children. Katie, 21(deceased, who died in the line of duty), Jimmy, 24, Masters Program, teaching, Central Washington University. Michael, 23, Central Washington University Graduate. Kurtis, 21, Student, Central Washington University, and member United States Coast Guard Reserves.
